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Thursday, April 30, 2015

An Anniversary, A Tea Party, And Some Cookies

Yesterday was Prince William and Princess Kate's fourth anniversary, which they "reportedly" spent out and about, still waiting for the arrival of their "supposedly" overdue baby.Yep, clearly I'm paying attention. Lots of people could care less about what's happening in England with the royals and their offspring. But I admit it, they make me happy. There are so many awful, terrible things going on in the world, so seeing good news about a lovely young couple brings a smile to my face. I'm especially enamored with the weddings. When Charles and Diana married in 1981, I was fourteen and had a summer job babysitting for a family that didn't own a television. My father brought over a tiny color tv with antenna and somehow managed to get the ceremony onscreen. For William and Kate's wedding, my sweet friend Shan invited me to a tea party to commemorate the occasion. We couldn't wait to see Kate's dress, and when she stepped from the car a collective sigh went around the room. So beautiful.As was the food that my friend prepared for our tea. Chicken salad, quiche, scones, and her famous shortbread.

We all made funny hats, because of course, that's what one wears to a royal wedding.

Now I'm just waiting on George's baby brother or sister to get here.And looking at these pictures has me craving cookies. So what better time than now to share my recipe for the most delicious sugar cookies ever? They are thin and crispy and melt in your mouth. You could serve them at a baby shower or a tea party - or just eat the whole plate yourself, which is what usually happens at my house.

Sugar Cookies

2 cubes butter, softened

1 C granulated sugar

1 C powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

2 eggs

1 C vegetable oil

4 1/2 C flour

In mixing bowl, combine butter, sugars, vanilla, cream of tartar, salt, baking soda, eggs and oil. Beat until creamy. With mixer at slow speed, add flour and blend thoroughly. Chill for one hour. Form dough into small balls and place on cookie sheet. Stamp until thin with a glass dipped in granulated sugar. Bake at 375 degrees, until just tan around the edges (about 5 minutes).

I liked Diana but I thought she married an ugly dud in Charles... I was never a fan of his at all... I liked Sarah and Andy, I was sorry to see they didn't make it... I hope Kate and William survive living in a fishbowl. I've never seen any of the weddings except in the news.;-)

Lana, I'm obsessed with the Royals, too! When Wills and Kate got married, I hosted a wedding party with brunch type foods and of course, a wedding cake, for all my girl friends and their daughters! They came over extra early and we had a great time watching the wedding and eating waffles! That was so sweet of your dad to bring the TV over so you could watch Charles and Diana. I remember watching that wedding as well.

Oh I know that you and I would have a lot to talk about IRL! I watched Diana's wedding with my pal at her cottage in Ontario on their old black and white tv. I watched Will and Kate's wedding at my sister's with family and friends. She had us over for a sleepover and most of us stayed up all night to watch it live before dawn. It was so much fun. I am now on royal baby watch. Did you hear that W and K asked that breakfast be delivered to the press waiting outside the hospital? Such a good idea.

My Canadian grandmother was a huge fan of the Royals and knew the lineage better than I know my own. I was working, but fortunately it was a slower day than usual and some of the patient's had their tv's on, so we got to see glimpses of Diana's wedding. So nice of your dad to bring you a tv! I love the hat - and I am definitely trying the cookies!

I love that YOU love the Royals. You are so right that in this dark old world it is nice to have something romantic and sweet and almost magical to keep us going. I would love to be invited to a tea. Maybe I should throw my own? Great inspiration.

Good old sugar cookies never fail!I admit - I get intrigued by it too. I love telling my Disney-loving daughter that a REAL princess has been born. I think that's big! So much of her life is fairy tales, but this is real.

Welcome!

I'm a 40 something freelance writer and mom of two boys, married to my high school sweetheart and living in the Pacific Northwest. I love fashion, reading, being outdoors, and traveling....and I write about it all!